RESOLUTION NO. RES - 2017- 017
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA TO DECLARE
ITSELF AN INDIVISIBLE CITY AND SAFEGUARD THE CIVIL RIGHTS, SAFETY AND
DIGNITY OF ALL SANTA ROSA RESIDENTS
WHEREAS, the City of SantaRosais madeup of diverseindividuals, both native born and immigrants, whose collective cultures, religions, backgrounds, orientations, abilities and viewpointsjoin to form a highly pluralistic communitythat prides itself on beinga placethat welcomes persons and families of all walks of life; and WHEREAS, sincethepresidentialelection, therehasbeena senseof uncertaintyandfear among many communities in Santa Rosa, across our State and across the Nation; and WHEREAS, theCityof SantaRosaassuresitsvulnerablecommunitiesthattheCity supports them, will doall it canto maintainandimprovetheirqualityof life, andwill nottolerateactsof hate, discrimination, bullying, or harassment; and
WHEREAS, the SantaRosaCity Council wishesto declarethat SantaRosais a safeplace for everyone, including, but not limited to, immigrantsfrom all countries, peopleof color, people of all religions, gender identity, sexual orientation, people with disabilities and all vulnerable communities; and
WHEREAS, it is the City Council'sdesireto ensurethat its immigrant residents participatein civic life anddailyactivitieswithoutfearof beingarrestedordetainedby, or reportedto theUnitedStatesImmigrationandCustomsEnforcementagencybasedsolelyon immigration status; and
WHEREAS, many children who are native to the United States or are undocumented immigrantshavebeenseparatedfromtheirfamiliesbytheUnitedStatesImmigrationand CustomsEnforcementagencysolely dueto their parents' or their personalimmigration status; and WHEREAS, theenforcementof civil immigrationlawsby localpoliceagenciesraisesmany complex legal, logistical andresourceissuesfor the City, including underminingthe trust and cooperationwith immigrantcommunities, increasingtheriskof civil liability duetothecomplexity of civil immigration lawsandthe lack of training andexpertiseof local police on civil immigration enforcementanddetractingfrom the coremissionof the SantaRosaPoliceDepartmentto createsafe communities; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is greatlyconcernedaboutpublic safetyin SantaRosaandthe mission of the SantaRosaPolice Departmentis to protectthe safetyof the public againstcrimes committed by personswhoeverthey may be; and
WHEREAS, mostresidentsin the City, including the vastmajority of immigrants, arelaw- abiding citizens andare, when crimesoccur, themselvesthevictims of crime, andbecausethe City wishesto fostertrustandcooperationasbetweentheCity, itspolicedepartment, anditsimmigrant communities, and wishes to encourage immigrants to report crime and speak to the police without fear of beingarrestedor detainedby, or reportedto the United StatesImmigration and Customs Enforcementagency; and
Reso. No. RES - 2017- 017
Attachment 1
WHEREAS, consistent with the law and with Council policy, the Santa Rosa Police Department already declines to enforce federal civil immigration laws, does not conduct immigration raids, anddoesnot question, detainor arrestindividuals on the basisthat they might bein this country illegally in violation of Federal civil immigration laws.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of SantaRosaas follows:
SECTION 1. That the SantaRosaCity Council calls uponall City residentsandall City Departmentsandemployeesto speakout againstactsof bullying, discrimination andhateviolence and to stand up for those who are targeted for such acts.
SECTION2. ThattheSantaRosaCity Councilopposesdeportationsbasedsolelyon immigrationstatuswhichsplitupfamilies, andcallsuponthefederalgovernmenttopromptly legislateapathwayto citizenship for undocumentedimmigrants, andto refrain from deportationsof immigrantswhohavenotbeenconvictedof feloniesendangeringthecommunity, until suchtimeas the U.S. Congressdoeslegislatesuchapathway.
SECTION 3. That City employees, including membersof the SantaRosaPolice Department, shallnotenforceFederalcivil immigrationlawsandshallnotusecity monies, resourcesorpersonnelto investigate, question, detect, detainor apprehendpersonssolelyonthe basis of a possible violation of immigration law.
SECTION4. ThattheSantaRosaCity CouncilcallsupontheCountyof Sonomaandall incorporatedcitieswithintheCountyof Sonomato adopttheforegoingpolicies, andwe welcome opportunities to partner with the Legislature, other jurisdictions, local organizations, and businesses that support and defend these populations.
SECTION 5. The City Clerk shall attestandcertify to thepassageandadoptionof this resolutionandit shall becomeeffective immediatelyupon its approval.
IN COUNCIL DULY PASSEDthis 7th day of February, 2017.
AYES: ( 7) Mayor Coursey, Vice Mayor Tibbetts, Council MembersCombs, Olivares Rogers, Sawyer, Schwedhelm
NOES: ( 0)
ABSTAIN: ( 0)
ABSENT:
ATTEST:
0)
APPROVE
Reso. No. RES - 2017- 017